Headshot of Maureen Smyth

Maureen “Mo” Smyth, BSN RN
Founder / CEO
Cannabis Public School, SFVA
POSTER PRESENTER
MEDICINE

Revolutionizing Veteran-Provider Discussions: A Novel Approach to Cannabis Awareness

This abstract presents a new approach to improve discussions between Veterans and Providers regarding veterans' cannabis use for pain and cancer. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directive 1315 encourages veterans to talk about cannabis use with their VA providers and for providers to document these conversations. However, there are significant barriers to these discussions and subsequent documentation, particularly regarding the positive outcomes that veterans are reporting outside the VA. Research indicates a lack of cannabis education among VA healthcare providers and their tendency to avoid the topic. To address these gaps, I propose implementing game-based learning and short presentations for VA providers. This will help them feel more at ease when engaging in more nuanced discussions about how veterans' medical cannabis use may impact their care plans, and enable them to document accordingly. In all honesty, no matter how much research highlights the effectiveness of cannabis for various ailments, if most providers still shy away from embracing new trends, progress will be limited. This approach acknowledges this reality.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the barriers to transparent discussions on veteran cannabis use in the Veteran-Provider setting
  • Foster a practice change that aligns clinical conversations on veteran cannabis use with current research and trends
  • Explore the potential of game-based learning and short presentations
BIO
Mo Smyth, a nurse with 20 years of experience, is an advocate for a U.S healthcare system that offers alternatives to polypharmacy after studying the potential benefits of cannabis in conventional healthcare, she now advocates for its inclusion in treatment plans. She firmly believes that public health initiatives and awareness campaigns are vital to support the reintroduction of botanical medicine into contemporary healthcare and she is committed to driving positive change in the American cannabis industry as well. To those ends, Mo founded Cannabis Public School, a platform for accurate information about the holistic benefits and potential risks of cannabis. Cannabis Public School showcases top-notch cannabis products, important trends, keen insights and industry experts. Currently working at the Veterans Affairs hospital in San Francisco, Mo openly advocates for transparency and objective discussions surrounding cannabis use in the veteran-provider relationship. Despite the common belief among many physicians that cannabis only hinders treatment plans and outcomes, Mo raises awareness that cannabinoid therapeutics can also yield positive results and should be documented as such. Ms. Smyth is passionate in her aims to empower individuals to take control of their well-being, and alert the U.S. healthcare system of this right, thereby fostering healing for future generations.

ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED. THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOT.

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